MAHWAH, NJ —The State University of New York at New Paltz cross country team(s) were in action this afternoon for day one of the Ramapo College T&F Invitational hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey. Ramapo College is a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) which SUNY New Paltz will join in Fall 2026. The first day of competition featured the three long distance track events of the 3k steeplechase, 5k, and 10k. Today's meet was a non-scoring NCAA track and field meet.  

Jazmyne Daily-Simpson got things started in the 3000m steeplechase clearing all twenty-eight barriers, including seven water barriers, in a new personal best time of 13:21.014. Daily Simpson's time is the fifth fastest time in program history. The second event of the evening was the longest in competitive track and field, the 10000m run. A trio of Hawks completed the grueling twenty-five lap race with Hunter Larson leading the way in seventh place with a new personal best time of 42:42.08. Larson's time is the second fastest time in program history. Ava Nargentino finished with fourteenth place in a new personal best time of 46:09.23. Nargentino's time is the fourth fastest time in program history. Newcomer Marcela Figeroa has to retire from the race after the eighth lap. The women's 5000m featured a quartet of Hawks in the twelve and half lap race. Marcella Candlin finished eighth overall to lead the Hawks in a new personal best time of 19:25.32. Orquidea Briceno finished next for the Hawks in twelfth place in a new personal best time of 20:14.30. Crystal Rustami finished in nineteenth place with a time of 21:29.42. Rounding out the Hawks in the 5k was Allison English in fourteenth place with a time of 22:47.06.  
 

Brandon Gardner was first up for the men's team in the 3000m steeplechase. Gardner cleared all twenty-eight barriers, including sever water barriers, in a time of 11:49.13. Gardner's time is the fifth fastest time in program history, and he also holds the fourth fastest time of 11:06.72 from 2024. The 10000m run featured three members of the men's team in the longest event of the meet. Oliver Melara-Perez led the men's team with a fifth-place finish and a new personal best time of 34:25.27. Melara-Perez's time is the second fastest time in program history. Vincent Mandracchia was next with a place finish and a new personal best time of 35:51.45. Mandracchia's time is the third fastest time in program history. Rounding out the Hawks 10k squad was Anthony Willis in eleventh place with a new personal best time of 37:37.49. Willis' time is the fourth fastest time in program history. The men's 5000m featured a second quartet of Hawks in the final race of the first day. Gavin Bowers finished in ninth place with a new personal time of 16:25.81. Joe Palazzolo followed in sixteenth place with a time of 17:14.04. Evan Miller finished next in eighteenth place with a time of 17:19.21. Aidan Hesseltine rounded out the Hawks in the race with a nineteenth-place finish with a time of 17:23.62. 
 

  
The women's team will return tomorrow for day two of the Ramapo College T&F Invitational at 11:00 AM in Mahwah, NJ. The men's team has concluded the competition for the weekend with today's three long-distance events. The men will return on April 11 for day one of the Silfen Invitational hosted by Connecticut College in New London, CT.  

  
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